Spatial Computing: An Emerging Paradigm for Autonomic Computing and Communication

Emerging distributed computing scenarios call for novel “autonomic” approaches to distributed systems development and management. In this position paper we analyze the distinguishing characteristics of those scenarios, discuss the inadequacy of traditional paradigms, and elaborate on primary role of “space” in modern distributed computing. In particular, we show that spatial abstractions promise to be basic necessary ingredients for a novel “spatialions promise to be basic necessary ingredients for a novel “spatial computing” paradigm, acting as a unifying framework for autonomic computing and communication. On this base, we propose a preliminary “spatial computing stack” to frame the key concepts and mechanisms of spatial computing. Eventually, we try to sketch a research agenda in the area.